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Week 13 Key Numbers: Commanders’ late comeback leads to tie

By Hirdesh Matta

Dec 4, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) hits the arm of Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) while passing during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) hits the arm of Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) while passing during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Imagine recovering a fumble on the first defensive possession of the game, scoring on your opening two possessions to take a 10-0 lead, and still ultimately ending in a tie game.

That’s exactly what happened in the Commanders’ Week 13 matchup with the Giants. It left the players and coaches feeling unsatisfied like there was still unfinished business that remained.

That unfinished business will have to wait until Week 15 with the rematch with the Giants getting shifted to Sunday Night Football. The stakes will be higher in the home matchup with the winner all but securing one of the final two playoff spots and the loser needing help to maintain any semblance of hope.

So, how did we get here? Once again, the Commanders had a chance to put this game away early but as has been common, the offense took its foot off the gas. It’s as if the team doesn’t know how to play with a lead.

Against the Colts, after taking a 7-3 lead, the team went punt, punt, downs, punt, punt, interception, on the next six drives, gaining a total of 71 yards, before needing two straight scoring drives to sneak away with a 17-16 win.

After taking a 17-7 lead against the Vikings early in the 4th quarter, the team gained 10 total yards on its final three drives, losing a close game, 20-17.

Against the Eagles, the team went up 23-14 with just over five minutes remaining in the third quarter. Then, the offense gained 44 total hard on its last four drives.

Falcons game. Same story. After going up 16-10, the Commanders offense gained a total of 66 yards on their final three possessions.

In Week 13, it happened again. After taking a 10-0 lead, the Commanders were outscored 20-3 before Heinicke again pulled a rabbit out of a hat.

Two of Washington’s drives in the second half took up 14:12 of game time, almost a full quarter, and resulted in ZERO points. Kudos on winning the time of possession battle but that’s no bueno.

You have to give Heinicke credit. He’s definitely a gamer. With his back against the wall, he led the team on an 8-play 90-yard drive, including an impressive 20-yard heave to Curtis Samuel on 4th-and-4.

That was before Jahan Dotson spun the defender right out of his shoes on the touchdown reception. But what gets left out is the two passes that were nearly picked on the game-tying drive. What gets left out is the multiple misses where Heinicke threw too high throughout the game.

Sure, hero ball is fun to watch but that shouldn’t become the team’s MO. It’s not sustainable. Because for every exciting comeback drive that Heinicke puts together, there is a questionable interception or fumble that puts the defense on its heels.

Yes, the ball has bounced in the Commanders’ favor this season with Heinicke amassing a 5-1-1 record as the starter, but having such a small margin for error week after week is a dangerous game to play.

Let’s get into some of the key numbers from Week 13.

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